Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History

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Santa Barbara Field Guides - Butterflies
Lepidoptera
   Nymphalidae

     Coenonympha tullia
     Common Ringlet


upperside
underside

Size: wingspread 1-1.25 in.
Recognition: Small- medium; upperside is usually creamy white with faintly darker borders; underside is mostly dull brown or gray with some lighter areas on FW; coloring varies with seasonal broods.
Flight period: Flies in 3 flights from February to October.
Hostplants: The larvae feed on grasses.
Habitat: Open grassy and woodland areas. In southern California these rather indistinct butterlfies can be overlooked flying low over grassland areas.
Distribution: Holarctic; In North America they are found over much of northern and western U.S., into Canada and Alaska.

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